Month: January 2018

Making lifestyle improvements, exercising more and staying healthy are expected to emerge as some of the major trends this year. However, since most of us have day jobs followed by a multitude of house chores, we are all faced with one big problem – lack of time to invest towards maintaining that healthy lifestyle. We, at Masala Box, has compiled a list of simple, yet highly effective tips and trends that you can inculcate in your daily routine to stay healthy and fit without having to spend too much time.

Super Seeds

Super seeds: Often deceptive because of their size, super seeds are a powerhouse of essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, iron and omega-3 fatty acids. Super seeds – flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. – are easily accessible and available in most stores and supermarkets. Sprinkle a handful of these on salads and smoothies, maybe even rotis, dosas and just about anything to make your meal a power-packed one.

Simple flavours: Maintaining simple, yet bold flavours is an upcoming trend in home kitchens. The rising popularity of culinary shows and books coupled with the use of equipment such as microwaves and grills are quickly transforming flavour preferences. Spicy, heavy-on-the-stomach curries are being replaced by stir-fried, grilled and boiled alternatives, whether it is a simple dinner at home or a family feast.

East meets West: Fusion dishes are a huge hit in Indian kitchens currently. Dosa wraps, roti tacos, using Greek yoghurt or skyr instead of the more familiar, homemade dahi, incorporating superfoods such as seaweed, quinoa and amaranth in everyday meals are slowly becoming the norm in Indian food.

Farm to table: This somewhat old trend is making a huge comeback, especially with the increasing popularity of organic food and preference for healthy eating. The use of farm-fresh vegetables and fruits instead of the mass-produced stuff not only makes the food healthier but also ensures that farmers get a better return for all their hard work.

Veganism: With the rise in awareness about the health benefits of veganism, doing away with conventional staples such as milk and dairy products is no longer frowned upon (maybe with the exception of your grandmother!). More people are adopting a vegan lifestyle owing to the availability of alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk, peanut butter, almond butter, coconut cream, tofu, etc., which makes the transition not only easy, but also healthy.

Gluten-free eating: Gluten-free eating is yet another upcoming trend in India, a country where the idea of wheat-less paranthas would be laughed at. As more people are learning about gluten-intolerance and the health benefits of gluten-free eating, the popularity of bhajra, millet and jowar, which are also easily available, is on the rise.

Easy-to-carry alternatives and food makeovers: The preference for the consumption of home-made food is increasingly favoured as more people are focusing on lifestyle improvement and healthy eating. This shift in preference is transforming several Indian dishes, with strong and pungent flavours making way for subtle ones and deep fried items being replaced with roasted or grilled alternatives. Oats upma and kichdis, Indian-style sandwiches and innovative paranthas are some of the most popular alternatives that are currently finding their way inside office lunch boxes in India.